ok, so we're back into the swing of things with our reading of guns, germs and steel. we just finished chapter 9: Zebras, Unhappy Marriages, and the Anna Karenina Principle. it was actually quite enthralling. of course, it wouldn't be right to be able to just read, but show what we got out of what we read by answering a question or two.
There are several different species whose domestication has been tried, and failed. Give 3 reasons why you think these species resisted domestication.
1. Some amazing and powerful species out there(gorillas, elephants) cannot be domestucated because one "trait" of domestication is quick growth. These two are sdmirable because they are vegetarians and don't really care what they eat and they would provide A LOT of meat. But, who would want to wait 15 years before a herd has finished growing; they're all adults? This is just too much time. It also costs a ton to have to breed an animal for that long. It was much cheaper to capture and tame elephants and gorillas. Keeo in mind though, tamed and domestication are two completley different things. Being tamed is only one step in the process of domestication.
2. One rather interesting thing about some species of animals who have been failed to domesticate(cheetahs, pandas) refuse or can't reproduce in captivity. For some animals there are certain mating rituals that cannot be performed in a cage. For instance, in the wild the cheetah is chased for many days by males. This difficult distance is almost required for the female to ovulate and become secually perceptive. We like to have privacy, why can't we give the animals theirs? Another very interesting about reproducing in captivity is the panda. The Panda just doesn't seem to want to. Biologists/zoologists have a full-time job and are being paid to get Pandas to mate. They simply refuse. Scientists even go to the extent of dimming the lights, putting on music, making different scents, giving them different foods, and showing them "panda porn". No joke. They show pandas in captivity videos with other pandas...anything to get them in the mood. I just think it's amazing how intelligent and stubborn some animals are.
3. Some animals are impossible to domesticate because they are so dangerous. Most of the large mammal candidates for domestucation are capable of killing a human. Many of these mammals also get more dangerous as they get older, as they can benefit us more. Zebras are one of the most dangerous mammals out there. They have a habit of biting, and then not letting go. They injure more American zookeepers each year than the tiger! They are also extremely hard to catch(lasso with a rope) because they have the ability to see where the rope is going and duck to avoid it. Hence, you can't saddle and ride a zebra. Of course the zebra sn't the only large mammal who does this, but it's all I have time for today.
Many species would have been very beneficial to us if domesticated, but some just blatantly didn't want to be. There are a variety of reasons why they weren't domesticated, and probably won't be tried ever again.
Lately, I've been thinking about my friends and how lucky I am to have them, and everything they've done for me. Life has been really stressful but I know that you're always there for me, and will always love me and have my back, no matter what. Without you, I wouldn't, couldn't be me. You all have shaped me to be the person I am. Whether I've known you 3 months or 3 years, you've impacted my life in such a way that I will never forget. You've helped me through so much, and for this I want to say thank you. All the time we spend laughing, making fun of each other, talking, I cherish those moments, I cherish our friendship. So know, even when times get rough, even when the world seems to walk out, a best friend walks in...and that's what YOU are to ME. :) You all know who you are. You will forever have a spot in my heart, always always always have my love. YOU ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!!!
